Brassiere



P 1968 c. e. SIMONSEN 3,402,719

BRASSIERE Filed April 18, 1966 2 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR. CARL G.SIMONSEN w- (/JM ATTORNEY P 1968 c. G. SIMONSEN 3,402,719

BRASSIERE Filed April 18, 1966 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. CARL G.SIMONSEN ATTORNEY United 3,402,719 1 "BRASSIERE Carl G. Simonsen, 2204The=Alameda, San Jose, Calif. I ,Filed Apr. 18,1966, Ser. No. 543,4019.Claims. (Cl. 128-484) I ABSTRACT OF. THE DISCLOSURE *"A brassierehaving 'abuttingbust supporting bands, wherein a convexo-convex space isprovided when said bands are in abutting relation, and, wherein ajoinder at 'suchabutting relation by stitching or the like forms thebust supporting bands intoa configuration that follows the contour ofthe bust to provide a long wearing, comfortable-brassi'ere. j w

The present invention relates in general to womens undergarments, andmore particularly 'to a brassiere.

An object of the present invention is to provide an imp v br er 1Another object of the invention is to provide a brassiere which isunusually comfortable in use.

Still another. object'of the present invention is to proyide a brassierewhich reduces the bunching or gathering thereof between the breast cups.

'QA further object of the invention is to provide a brassiere whichisunusually comfortable in use. A still further object of the presentinvention is to provide a brassiere which exhibits an unusually longperiod .of useful life. i J 1 These and other objects of the inventionwill become more apparent inthe following specification, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG; lis a rearperspective view'of a brassiere constructed in accordance with theinvention, and being shown suspended in a position of use; :1 FIG 2 is arear perspectivefview'of the breast supportbands withthe interconnectingstraps of the brassiere shown in FIG-l. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlargedfront elevation of the busfl'supporting bands employed in the brassiereof the "present" invention; FIG. 4'is a' fragmentaryenlarged frontelevation view '"ofthe bust supporting hands before the adjacent con-?fronting edges are joined togetheru FIG. 5 is an 'elevational viewtaken along line 5-5 of "FIG-4 showing the bust supportihgbands afterthe adjacent confronting edges are sewed together. Illustrated in FIG. 1is the brassiere of the present invention, which-is'shown suspendedinthe usual bustsupporting position. The brassiere 10 is constructed oftwo bust-supporting bands 12 and 14, each having the general shape of aparallelogram (FIGJ):

The bands 12 and,14,have.,comparatively narrow respective inner ends 16and I8, which are joined together 'a't confronting contiguou's edge'sby-'stitching The bands and 14, as joined togetherfpr'ovid'a continuousinner s'u'rfac 20 and a continuousouter surface 22 for the brassiere 10.The bands 12 and 14 also provide two substantially continuousrespectivezupiier and lower edges 24' and 26 of the brassiere 10.

In FIG. 4, it is shown how the bands 12 and 14 appear when placedend-to-end before the adjacent confronting edges are sewed together. Itis to be observed that when the adjacent upper edges at point A and theadjacent lower edges at point B are placed in abutting relation, bowedor confronting concave edges are formed to define a centrally disposedconvexo-convex space C. After the adjacent confronting edges of the'bands 12 and 14 are sewed together, the joined ends of the bands 12 and14 ice when viewed along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 have a generally arcuate, orinwardly bowed configuration (FIG. 5 Through this "arrangement, bunchingor gathering at the joined edges of the bands 12 and 14 has beenreduced, and, also, the bands 12 and 14 form a configuration thatfollows the contour of the breast cups. It is to be noted that the upperand lower edges 24 and 26 are cut at a bias relative to the joined endsof thebands 12 and 14.

" The stitching which joins the bands 12 and 14 together is preferablydouble stitching at both the inner surface 20 and the outer surface 22.Such double stitching is protected at the inner and outer surfaces 20and 22 by two confronting strips 28 and 30 of conventional bias tape,respectively. The outer strip 30 is extended upwardly from the upperedge 24 to form a loop 32. The strip 30 is secured, at its outermost end33, to the inner strip 28.

The upper and lower edges 24 and 26 of the brassiere 10 are reinforcedby two strips 34 and 36 of bias tape, respectively. The strip 34 extendsthe full length of the upper edge 24. The strip 36 extends along thatportion of the lower edge 26, which lies in contact with the breasts.Both strips 34 and 36 are disposed at a bias relative to the reinforcingstrips 28 and 30.

The bands 12 and 14 are provided with two reinforcement panels 38 and40, respectively. Each of the reinforcement panels 38 and 40,respectively, is of a generally trapezoidal shape and is stitched to theouter surface 22 adjacent the upper edge 24. The stitching 42 hereemployed is of zig-zag configuration and extends around each of therespective peripheries of the panels 38 and 40.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the bands 12 and 14 each increasegradually in width between the respective inner ends 16 and 18 andrespective areas of maximum width, such as seen at 44 and 46. The bands12 and 14 are then gradually reduced in width as seen at 48 and 50 andare terminated by two integral and comparatively narrow rearwardlyextending strips 52 and 54, respectively. A substantial portion of thelower edge 26 located between the areas 44 and 46 is recessed, as seenat 56. The lower strip 36 of bias tape protects the recessed edgeportion 56, which recessed portion 56 normally lies in contact with thebreasts.

Adjacent the upper edge 24 and at the portions of the outer surfacecorresponding to the areas 44 and 46, two attachment strips 58 and 60are mounted on the bands 12 and 14, respectively. The strips 58 and 60each mount a plurality of hook-receiver eyes 62.

The outermost end 64 of the strip 54 is provided with a plurality ofpairs of vertically-aligned eyes 66. The outermost end 68 of the strip52 is provided with two hooks (not seen), and being cooperative with anyof the pairs of eyes 66.

The bands 12 and 14 are each preferably of a double cloth which providesat the outer surface 22 a comparatively tight plain weave. At the innersurface 20, a comparatively loose plain weave is preferred, whichpresents a nap giving a soft, flannel-like surface. The reinforcementpanels 38 and the attachment strips 58 and 60 are each preferably ofcloth providing a surface similar to that of the outer surface 22.

The brassiere 10 is maintained in a breast-supporting position bypositioning means, which include a ribbon '70 of conventional type, andwhich passes through the loop 32. At its opposite free ends 72 and 74,the ribbon 70 is provided with two hooks 76 (only one being shown),which are cooperative with the eyes 62 of the attachment strips 58 and60, respectively.

In placing the brassiere 10 in the breast-supporting position shown inFIG. 1, the bands 12 and 14 at the areas of the reinforcement panels 38and 40 are placed over the two breasts, respectively. The hooks 76 atthe free ends 72 and 74 of the ribbon may then be secured to assure thegreatest possible degree of comfort for the wearer of the brassiere 10.The strips 52 and 54 are positioned so as to extend around the sidesandto the back of the wearer. The hooks on the end 68 of the strip 52are engaged with a particular pair of the eyes 66. Here again, the pairof eyes 66 is selected which provides the greatest comfort for thewearer of the brassiere 10.

Suitable conventional means may be employed for suspending the brassierein a position of use. For this purpose, a conventional support belt 80is shown. The belt 80 is positioned about the body of the wearer of thebrassiere 10 beneath the breasts, and overlies the strips 52 and 54.Carried by the belt 80 are the conventional breast cups 105 and 110which are made of soft flexible fabric and are located in front of thebreast supporting bands.

The belt 80 has attached to the rearward portion thereof two straps 82and 84, which pass over the two shoulders of the wearer, respectively.At their forward ends 86 and 88, the straps 82 and 84 are secured bymeans of two buckles 90 and 92 to the left and right forward segments 94and 96 of the ribbon 70, respectively.

The belt 80 provides two rearward and oppositely positioned slits 98(only one being seen). Inserted through the slits 98 are the outer ends72 and 74 of the ribbon 70. The rearward portions 100 and 102 of thelatter pass under-arm from the buckles 90 and 92, and to the slits 98,respectively.

The belt 80, the shoulder straps 82 and 84 and the ribbon 70 serve tosuspend the brassiere 10 in its proper position. At the same time, thefeatures of adjustability provided by the hooks 76 and 78 and eyes 62,and by the eyes 66 and associated hooks, assures a comfortable fit.Also, the reinforcement panels 38 and 40 provide an unusually highdegree of support for the breasts. At the same time, the configurationand construction of the two bands 12 and 14 at the adjacent confrontingedges thereof serves to minimize bunching, or bulkiness, at the centerof the brassiere 10 or enable the bands 12 and 14 to form aconfiguration conforming to the contour of the breast cups.

The degree of support is further enhanced by the suspension of the bands12 and 14 at the center line by the ribbon 70.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particularembodiment thereof, it will be realized that various changes andmodifications can be made therein, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An assembly for the manufacture of a brassiere comprising:

a first bust-supporting band formed in the general shape of aparallelogram and having a narrowed arcuate end, and

a second bust-supporting band of substantially similar configuration asthat of said first bust-supporting band and having a narrowed arcuateend,

said first and second bust-supporting bands being disposed in end-to-endrelation with said narrowed arcuate ends in partial abutting contact todefine an arcuate space therebetween so that joinder of saidnarrowed'arcuate ends produces a configuration of attachment strips 58and'6il, respectively. The eyes 62 provide for various sizes so as lowsth cont u ,of thqanetgrny W a 2. An assembly for the manursctareara'brassire comprising a first bust-supporting band formed with anarcuate end, and a second bust-supporting band formed with an arcuateend, said; bustasupporting bands being disposed in end-to-endrelationfwithiupper and lower edges in abutting contact aiid defirringatspace :therebetween, said arcuate ends of said first "and secondbust-supporting bands being formed with: inwardlyboundconfigurations todefine a convexo convex spacetherebetween.

3. An assembly for themanufacture of a brassiere as claimed in claim 1wherein said arcuate ends of said first and second bust-suppoftingban'dsare flexibly joined together along the edges-thereof formingan arcuatejunction. s-

4. An assembly for. the manufacture :of a-brassiere as claimed in claim3 wherein said arcuate ends of said first and second bust-supportingbands are flexibly joined together by stitching.

5. An assembly for the manufacture 40f abrassiere as claimed in claim 4wherein-said-stitching is reinforced by protection tape. v v v 6. Anassembly for the manufacture of a brassiere as claimed in claim 5 andcomprising a reinforcement panel for each of said bust-supporting bands,and means securing said reinforcement panels in abutting relation withits associated bust-supporting band. 7

7. An assembly for the manufacture'of a' brassiere comprising a firstbust-supporting band'formed with an arcuate end, and a secondbust-supporting band formed with an arcuate end, said bust-supportingbands beingdisposed in end-to-endrelation with upper and lower edges inabutting contact and defining a space therebetween, said arcuate endsofsaid first and second bust-supporting bands being flexibly joinedtogether along the edges thereof forming an arcuate junction, thejunctionof joinder of said ends of said first and secondbust-supportingbands being reinforced by aprotection tape and a portionof said protection tape being arranged to extend upwardly from saidbust-supporting bands to form a loop.

8. An assembly for the manufacture of a brassiere comprising a firstbust-s pporting band formed with an arcuate end, and a second bustsupporting band formed with an arcuate end, said bust-supporting bandsbeing disposed in end-to-end relation with upper and lower edges inabutting contact and defining a space therebetween, said arcuate ends ofsaid first and second bust-supporting bands being flexibly joinedtogether along the edges there of forming an arcuate junction, saidupper andloweredges of said first and second bust-supporting bands beingformed at a bias with respect to the junction of joinder of said ends ofsaid first and second bust-supporting bands. I

9. An assembly for the manufacture: of a brassiere as claimed in claim,8 wherein said upper and lower-edges are reinforced by protection tapes.

References Cited 1 I E fiS AZ ?A E L f'f' 2,115,397 4/1938 Rosenthal ,eta1--- 128 485 2,380,199 7/1945 .Stein 3,033,206 5/1962 =Ramsel ADELE M.EAGE IT;Primury Examinerfi:

